Valve sacks have the important benefit of being able to be filled on nozzle packers, which ensure a high filling output. Valve sack concepts are available in all three major materials (paper, pp-woven, PE-film).

Someone said, appearances can be deceiving. Some others say, judge a book not by its cover, but by its contents. All these propositions sound very logical. However, FMCG companies may strongly disagree, invest as they do heavily into packaging designs and strategies as integrated part of their brand offerings.

JSW is mainly into the production of steel, and generates slag as a by-product, a key material for cement. Rahul Akkra explains his strategy behind building up the JSW brand, and the difference that a strong brand can make to the bottom-line of a cement manufacturer.

Cement terminals which are away from an integrated plant serve as important distribution points in the overall business. Cement manufacturers are either setting up their own terminals or are sharing them with other companies.

ASHOK DHANDH of Deepak Traders has been in dealer since 35 years. "Initially we would sell cement to Bombay builders and retailers, but since the last 10 years we have shifted our focus to infrastructure projects across India.